Kellie Wiersma

elementary second grade teacher

Kansas City, Kansas

Hometown: Parkville, Missouri

Undergraduate degree: Bachelor in Political Science, Baylor University and Master in Public Administration, University of Illinois at Chicago

Why I chose teaching: As a mother to three children who have either left the nest or were preparing to do so, I started to wonder what I was going to do when I “grew up.” I was coming to the end of an almost twelve-year career in homeschooling my son who is on the autism spectrum, and all I knew was that I wanted to pursue something that would incorporate my love for learning and for serving others but also fulfill my desire to engage with people of other backgrounds and cultures. After my son graduated high school, I started substitute teaching, which led to a position as an ESL aide, and now I am a second-grade teacher.

Why I selected K-State’s MAT program: I was thrilled to find a program that would allow me to continue working while I earned my degree online and that would prepare me to teach in a diverse environment. I loved that K-State has a strong relationship with my school district, yet my classmates were from all over the country and beyond. For me, it was the best of both worlds–strong local connections and exposure to a variety of perspectives.

Why I’m a unique teacher: More and more adults are starting a teaching career later in life, so I don’t think that is what sets me apart. Yet, my unique combination of lived experiences does give me a perspective I would have lacked if I had started an education career in my twenties.

“I would like to encourage more adults in my age bracket to consider a career in education. Not only do we have a lot of valuable experience to contribute, but this is a time in our life when we might have the opportunity to take more chances, be more adventurous, and learn something new about the world. As much as I like to think I’ve added to children’s lives, I know they have changed me far more than I could ever impact them. My students have made me a better person.”